Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-07-16

flower.
He had good luck that day, and he
went home to his attic with a light
heart. He paid Mary Jane the rent,
and had enough left to buy his sup
per. He placed the rose in an old
cracked tumbler, and the sweet odor
pervaded the room. Tim, when he
looked at the little bud, forgot how
shrilly the mind whistled through
the cracks; new feelings were at
work in his heart. His thoughts
leaped back to- the scenes touching
upon his childhood, his mothers
death, and his listless life since her
death. Long after he had thrown
himself upon the pile of straw in the
corner, which formed his bed, he lay
awake thinking and ere sleep had
closed his eyelids, he resolved to lead
a more industrious life, a life that
would please his dear mother and
father in heaven,
The next morning he arose, filled
with his newly formed resolution.
He washed his face carefully, and
tried to restore his tangled locks to
something like order; then, after
considerable pleading, he was sue
cessful in securing a needle and
thread from Mary Jane, and drew
the great rents in his clothes together
the best he could. Shouldering his
blacking-box, he went forth, resist
ing all temptation toplay marbles, or
loaf around the streets.
Eagerly watching for customers, he
called out, "Shine yer boots, sir" to
every gentleman who passed. He
found himself well repaid, for the
pennies flowed into the little tin box
where he kept his change, with
astonishing rapidity.
Just as he was about. to call out
"Shine" to a portly gentleman who
was coming near, he saw something
which made his heart stand still.
The little girl who hadgiYehfh im
the rosebud the day before, was
standing in the middle ofafhe street,
looking about with wild, terrified
eyes. The street was a great thor
oughfare, and the child was COM
pletely hemmed in by vehicles, ad-
vancing in all directions. One horse
and wagon was rushing madly on
toward her. The horse had taken
fright, and the driver could not hold
him the little girl saw her danger
and elapsed her little mittened hands
in terror; but there was no one lear
to save her. No one? All, yes;
Ragged Tim gave one bound, and
rushing between the horses and
wagons that blockaded the way, he
dashed valiantly forward, caught the
little girl, and pushed her safely to
one side, and the horse rushed on,
but he lay still and pale, a quivering
heap upon the pavement. He had
done q noble deed, but could never
tell clearly why he had done it, I'M
less it was the thought that flashed
through his head of the little rose
bud the girl had given him. He had
saved her life, but the pancing hoofs
had trampled his own poor limbs,
and almost crushed out his life. A
crowd gathered about him and then
an ambulance came, and he was car
ried to the hospital. 1t is not need
full to dwell upon the painful I'M
dressing, the sharp agony poor Tim
endured from the doctors skillful
hands, nor the bewilderment he
passed through, but when evening
came he felt much better, and as he
lay, wondering if he would ever get
well, he was suppressed to see a gen
tleman approaching his bed. He
recognized him as the father of the
little girl whose life he had saved.
"PoOr child" he said to Ragged
Tim, and laying his hand gently up
on the pale brow, said, " You have
saved my little daughters life. My
only child. Oh, how much | have to
thank you for!" and the gentleman's
eyes were swimming in tears of graf
itude.
Then he sat down by the bed and
talked pleasantly to him, asking him
many questions about his past life,
and his plans for the future. When
he rose to depart he said:
"My boy, when you + well
enough to be moved, you shall come
to my home to be well cared for, if
you are willing to do So"
Ragged Tins eyes sparkled and his
cheeks flushed with pleasure at this
unexpected good fortune. In a few